Multi-path gating system

ABSTRACT

System and methods for directing sheet media to one of multiple output paths is described. A multi-path gating system includes a multi-positionable gate including a fixed pivotable input end for receiving sheet media and a movable output end for routing the sheet media to one of multiple output paths. The multi-path gating system also includes an actuator configured to control the position of the output end of the multi-positionable gate, wherein the actuator orients the output end of the gate forming an output path for the sheet media.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed embodiments relates to image forming devices and more particularly, the disclosure relates to path gating systems that divert sheet media to multiple output paths.

BACKGROUND

An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, a fax machine, or a photocopier, involves directing sheet media along a media path. A media path generally begins with an input section for introducing the sheet media and includes a transfer area where the sheet media receive an image. The sheet media can be inverted and reintroduced into the media path upstream from the transfer area to receive another image on a second side, called duplex path. Moreover, the sheet media can be directed to a finisher device. Such a device performs various media handling operations such as punching, stapling, etc. The media path may further include an output section where the sheet media exit from the image forming apparatus.

Typically, image forming devices include a gate for routing the sheet media to different media paths. This system is called a media path gating system. The gate may be positioned at a variety of locations along the path, such as the input section, the transfer area, the duplex area, and output section.

Existing media path gating systems are able to switch between two paths only, referred to as two-way gate. To divert sheet media to more than two paths, the present methodologies employ more than one two-way gate. Also, the existing systems use multiple two-way gates in a sequential manner to implement diversion to multiple output paths. These methodologies result in higher costs and space.

Thus, there remains a need for a media path diverting system that reduces cost, space, and is reliable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a multi-path gating system for diverting a sheet to one of multiple output paths. The multi-path gating system includes a multi-positionable gate configured to divert a sheet to one of multiple output paths. The multi-positionable gate includes a fixed pivotable input end that receives input sheet from an input path. The output end of the multi-positionable gate is movable and diverts the input sheet to one of multiple output paths. The multi-path gating system also includes an actuator, which controls the position of the output end of the multi-positionable gate. The actuator aligns the output end of the gate with one of multiple output ends, forming an output path for the input sheet. Further, the actuator is configured to align the gate in two or more appropriate positions, forming two or more output paths for the sheet.

Another disclosed embodiment is a method for switching an input sheet between multiple output paths. The method includes receiving an input sheet through a fixed pivotable input end of a multi-positionable gate. Next, the output end of the multi-positionable gate is positioned to select one of the multiple output paths. The output end of the multi-positionable can be positioned in two or more directions. Finally, the method includes transferring the input sheet to the selected output path through the multi-positionable gate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-path gating system.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the multi-path gating system, shown in FIG. 1, directing an input sheet to one of multiple output paths.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrates alternate media paths of an input sheet in the embodiment of the multi-path gating system, shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is flow chart outlining an exemplary method for switching an input sheet between multiple output paths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to the figures. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.

Generally speaking, a multi-path gating system described below in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, allows transferring sheet media to one of multiple media paths. The multi-path gating system not only renders the diversion of sheet media from an initial media path to more than two media paths, but also promotes reliability and economy by employing a single gate structure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-path gating system 100 for diverting sheet media to one of multiple output paths. The exemplary embodiment of the multi-path gating system 100 may be employed within a device such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a finisher where a sheet is required to be directed to multiple paths to perform various operations, such as, printing, copying, stapling, punching, etc. However, various other embodiments can be anticipated to address many different systems or applications in which sheet media needs to be directed to not just two but multiple paths.

It should be noted that the description below does not set out specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, designs and materials known in the art should be employed, and those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

The multi-path gating system 100 includes a multi-positionable gate 102, an input baffle 104, and three output baffles 106, 108, and 110. The multi-positionable gate 102 receives sheet media 112 through the input baffle 104 and diverts the sheet media 112 to one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110 based on the alignment of the multi-positionable gate 102.

The multi-path gating system 100 employs a single gate, such as the multi-positionable gate 102, to route the sheet media 112 to one of multiple media paths or output paths, resulting in a compact and cost effective path gating system. A multi-positionable gate refers to a gate having a pivot point, with capabilities of being aligned in multiple directions to guide sheet media in one of those multiple directions. The multi-positionable gate 102 will be described in detail in the following section in connection with FIG. 2.

In the following description the terms “sheet” or “sheet media” refer to sheets of paper, plastic, cardboard, or other suitable physical substrate for printing images, whether precut or initially web fed and then cut. The terms “sheet media” and “sheet” are interchangeable, used throughout the disclosure. Moreover, the term “media paths” and “output paths” are also interchangeably used throughout the description.

FIG. 1 depicts only three output baffles 106, 108, and 110 for simplicity; however, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that more than three output baffles can be added to increase the number of output paths. Further, the multi-path gating system 100 may include two output baffles to simply route sheet media to one of the two output paths.

The input baffle 104 and the output baffles 106, 108, and 110 also include rollers as shown in FIG. 1. Typically, baffles and rollers are employed to help guide sheet media in a particular path; such devices are well known in the art and will not be described in detail here. The input baffle 104, and the output baffles 106, 108 and 110 can include a sheet metal baffle assembly, molded plastic baffle assembly, or any other baffle assembly known in the art. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other guiding device known in the art can be employed here.

The multi-path gating system 100 also includes an actuator, not shown in FIG. 1, configured to position the multi-positionable gate 102. The actuator aligns the multi-positionable gate 102 with one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110, forming an output path for the sheet media 112. For example, the actuator could be a stepper motor, connected to the multi-positionable gate 102 by an actuator rod, with the sides of the multi-positionable gate 102 connected by a flexible connecting rod. Those in the art will be able to select from conventional components, such as solenoids and the like, as well as various means for operatively connecting the actuator to the multi-positionable gate 102.

The multi-path gating system 100 also employs a control mechanism to accomplish the orientation of the multi-positionable gate 102 at any point of time. Those skilled in the art will be able to select a conventional control mechanism, such as a computer controlled mechanism, an electromechanical mechanism, or any other suitable mechanism known in the art, for the multi-path gating system 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the actuator positions the multi-positionable gate 102 in three possible orientations, aligning with one of the three output baffles 106, 108, or 110. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of possible orientations for the multi-positionable gate 102 can be increased by increasing the number of output baffles positioned at the output end of the gate 102, resulting in higher number of media paths for the sheet media 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates the multi-path gating system 100, depicting the alignment of the multi-positionable gate 102 between the input baffle 104 and the output baffle 106. An actuator, not illustrated in FIG. 2, positions the multi-positionable gate 102 in the desirable direction, forming the output path as shown.

The multi-positionable gate 102 includes an input end 114 and an output end 116. The input end 114 is a fixed pivotable point; such that the sheet media 112 received from the input baffle 104 enter the multi-positionable gate 102 from this fixed pivotable point. The path described between the input baffle 104 and the pivotable input end 114 is referred to as input path and the multi-path gating system 100 described in this disclosure receives input sheets from this input path. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the multi-positionable gate 102 pivots about this input end 114.

The output end 116, however, is a movable end, which changes its orientation between the output baffles 106, 108, and 110. The path followed by the sheet media 112 from the input end 114 and one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110 is referred to as output path. The arrangement of the multi-positionable gate 102 described here, with the fixed pivotable input end 114 and the movable output end 116, renders flexibility of switching the sheet media 112 to more than two output paths, by rotating the output end 116 to more than two output positions. FIG. 2 depicts one of the possible output paths for the sheet media 112.

Moreover, the multi-positionable gate 102 includes an upper guiding surface 118 and a lower guiding surface 120. The upper guiding surface 118 and the lower guiding surface 120 move together in the same direction to align with one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110. The sheet media 112 is directed to the destined output baffle using both the upper guiding surface 118 and the lower guiding surface 120 as it moves through the multi-positionable gate 102, making the transfer of the sheet media 112 smooth and reliable.

The pivotable input end 114 and the movable output end 116 mitigate paper jams. When the sheet media 112 leaves the input baffle 104, the sheet media 112 always finds the input end 114 easily as it remains in a fixed position. The pivotable input end 114 of the multi-positionable gate 102 described here imparts more reliability to the gating system by reducing sheet damages.

The movement of the output end 116 of the multi-positionable gate 102 is controlled by the actuator. The actuator rotates the output end 116 of the multi-positionable gate 102 to select a desired output baffle, i.e., the output baffle 106. Subsequently, the sheet media 112 is directed from the input baffle 104 to the output baffle 106.

The arrangement of the multi-positionable gate 102 described here, with the pivotable input end 114 and a two side guiding surface for the sheet media 112 facilitated by the upper guiding surface 118 and the lower guiding surface 120, provides a proficient multi-path gating system for diverting the input path of the sheet media 112 to multiple output paths.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate alternate media paths provided by the multi-path gating system 100. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the output end 116 of the multi-positionable gate 102 aligns with the output baffle 108 and 110 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 respectively, resulting in alternate media paths for the sheet media 112.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram describing a method 500 of switching sheet media between multiple output paths. FIG. 5 describes the method 500 implemented by the multi-path gating system 100, discussed in FIGS. 1-4, for diverting the sheet media 112 to one of multiple output paths.

At step 502, the multi-positionable gate 102 within the multi-path gating system 100 receives an incoming sheet from the input baffle 104. To divert the incoming sheet to one of multiple output paths, the multi-path gating system 100 positions the output end 116 of the multi-positionable gate 102 to align with one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110 at step 504. The method 500 employs a motor or a solenoid or any actuator known in the art to control the position of the multi-positionable gate 102 in the desired orientation.

Typically, the output end 116 of the multi-positionable gate 102 is aligned with one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110 before receiving the incoming sheet to avoid sheet damages. The pivotable input end 114 of the multi-positionable gate 102, however, provides considerable latitude in allowing alignment of the output end 116 of the multi-positionable gate 102 while the sheet is received by the input end 114. This additional latitude increases efficiency and reliability of the multi-path gating system 100.

Once the multi-positionable gate 102 aligns itself with one of the output baffles 106, 108, or 110 forming an output path, at step 506, the incoming sheet is transferred to the destined output baffle. The method 500 described in the present disclosure renders capabilities to divert an incoming sheet media to not just two but multiple output paths, using a single multi-positionable gate.

The disclosed method 500 can be associated with any known image forming device dealing with routing of sheet media to one of multiple paths, ensuring a compact and cost effective image forming device.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

1. A multi-path gating system, comprising: a multi-positionable gate configured to divert a sheet to one of multiple output paths, including: a fixed pivotable input end for receiving a sheet; and a movable output end, wherein the movable output end diverts the sheet to one of the multiple output paths; and an actuator operatively coupled to the multi-positionable gate to control the position of the output end of the multi-positionable gate.
 2. The multi-path gating system of claim 1 further including an input baffle for directing the sheet towards the input end of the multi-positionable gate.
 3. The multi-path gating system of claim 1 further including a plurality of output baffles for receiving the sheet from the output end of the multi-positionable gate.
 4. The multi-path gating system of claim 3, wherein the output end of the multi-positionable gate aligns with a baffle from the plurality of output baffles, forming an output path.
 5. The multi-path gating system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of output baffles includes two or more baffles, forming two or more output paths.
 6. The multi-path gating system of claim 1, wherein the actuator positions the output end of the multi-positionable gate to select one of the multiple output paths.
 7. The multi-path gating system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a stepper motor.
 8. A multi-path gating system, comprising: a multi-positionable gate configured for diverting a sheet to one of multiple output paths, wherein the multi-positionable gate includes: a fixed pivotable input end for receiving a sheet; and a movable output end, wherein the movable output end diverts the sheet to one of the multiple output paths; an input baffle positioned at the input of the multi-positionable gate for directing the sheet towards the input end; a plurality of output baffles for receiving the sheet from the output end of the multi-positionable gate; wherein the output end of the multi-positionable gate aligns with a baffle from the plurality of output baffles forming an output path for the sheet; and an actuator operatively coupled to the multi-positionable gate for controlling the position of the output end, wherein the motor positions the output end of the multi-positionable gate.
 9. The multi-path gating system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of output baffles includes two or more baffles, forming two or more output paths.
 10. A method for switching between multiple output paths, comprising: receiving an input sheet through a fixed input end of a multi-positionable gate; positioning an output end of the multi-positionable gate to select one of the multiple output paths for the input sheet; and transferring the input sheet to the selected output path through the multi-positionable gate.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the positioning step includes positioning the output end in two or more directions, forming two or more output paths. 